5AN : So I watched an episode of Criminal Minds called Sex, Birth, Death and this popped into my head. It's a oneshot about Reid after Nathan tried to kill himself. Slight Reid/Prentiss but mainly friendship.
I couldn't get the image out of my head. Nathan, bleeding and weak on the motel bed, practically begging me to let him die. His blood was on my hands and it wouldn't come off. I scrubbed and scrubbed until it hurt. Until my skin was practically raw but I still tried to get it off.
It was long gone by now. I knew that. But the feeling was fresh in my mind. I could feel his blood on my hands and I kept scrubbing but nothing was working. There was a knock on my door and I went to open it, wincing at the tenderness of my hand when I touched the door knob. I open it and the newest member of the team, Emily Prentiss, is standing there. I stare confused as her cheeks slowly turn pink.
"I-I came to see if you were alright.." she looked down.
"Not really." I said and then stepped aside, inviting her in. she hesitated but slowly walked in and sat on my couch and I took a seat next to her.
"Look, I know I don't know you that well but I was worried. About you, I mean. Seeing something like that, and seeming to have been attached to him must've been so hard and I.. well I'm not sure." she looked away.
"It's all part of the job." I say and look down at my hands. Her gaze follows and she gasps.
"Reid what.. What happened?" she asks, taking my hands gently in hers. I couldn't take it anymore by then. A tear fell and soon the rest followed. I wasn't sobbing but I certainly not just tearing up.
"I can still feel his blood on my hands." I whispered. She scoots closer and takes me in her arms slowly. I hold her tight and burry my face into her shoulder and will the tears to stop before I pull away and wipe at my eyes. "I'm sorry." I say.
"You watched a young boy almost die Reid. You have nothing to apologize for." she said softly but firmly.
"Should I have saved him Emily?" I asked.
"Of course. You'd feel so much worse if you hadn't." she smiled a small but warm smile as she stood and offered her hand to me. I took it and stood as well. "Where's your bathroom?" she asked.
"Second door to the left down the hall." she nodded and pulled me towards it. Careful not irritate my hands. As she pulled me in she had me sit on the toilet and she rummage through the mirror cabinet then under the sink before she found what she'd been looking for. A small tub of Vaseline.
"Let me see your hand." she said and I put my left one in hers, already covered in a layer of Vaseline. She carefully massaged it into my skin and I felt a small ounce of relief as she did so. She continued with the other hand and stood, leaving the bathroom and going to my bedroom. The feeling of his blood was still on my hands and I looked at the sink longingly. I wanted to scrub them again but before I had the chance Emily was in the bathroom holding two socks. She saw were my attention was focused and kneeled in front of me, making me look at her. "You did all that you could."
"I know." I said and looked down at my hands again. She pulled the socks over my hands and I looked at her strangely.
"Don't take those off. By morning, not only will your hands be cured but very soft." she laughed. I smiled and stood with her. She walked to the door and opened it.
"Thank you Emily." a said and she smiles again.
"No problem Reid." she looked hesitant for a second before she leaned up and pressed a small kiss to my cheek. I looked at her shocked for a second before I smiled.
"See you tomorrow?" I asked.
"Yes. Bye Dr. Reid." she smiled and turned.
"Goodbye Special Agent Prentiss." I say and close the door.
Review?